>> reporter: kelly ayotte with fellow republican senators lindsey graham condemned the statement that said the decision clearly contravenes the will of the american people land not go unchallenged. a family member of a 9/11 victim also weighed in. >> my concern is that a guy likes this comes to a civilian court. he is put away. hopefully he would be convicted. but it wouldn't, it's not, it's conspiracy. it's not murder. >> the white house today defended the record of terrorist conviction in federal court. pointing to the times square bomber and the underwear bomber, now both serving life sentencing. >> there is broad consensus across the united states government. at the department of defense. the department of justice. department of homeland security. intelligence community agrees that the best way to protect our national security interest is to prosecute abu ghaith in the court. >> reporter: an officer doubt that it meets the requirement of military tribunal. >> sorry, he can't be charged with material support for terrorism, which can carry a life sentence, because that disallowed as